The New York Times Highlights U.S. Officials' Irrational Hostility Toward E-Cigarettes

New York Times science reporter Sabrina Tavernise highlights the tendency of American public health officials to view e-cigarettes as a threat rather than an opportunity, even though vaping offers a much less dangerous alternative to smoking. "A growing number of scientists and policy makers say the relentless portrayal of e-cigarettes as a public health menace, [...]

2016-11-03
reason.com

Democrats Are Fighting Each Other Over Tobacco Tax Hike

A ballot initiative to hike the tobacco tax in Missouri is dividing Democrats and drawing support from big tobacco companies. The tax is setting up an odd battle, pitting big tobacco companies that favor the tax against health care groups and liberal advocacy groups like Planned Parenthood. Health care groups argue the tax is too small to have a measurable impact on the state’s smoking rate, [...]

2016-11-03
dailycaller.com

Researcher receives $3 million NCI grant to study [...]

A researcher [...] has received a 5-year, $3 million R01 grant from the National Cancer Institute to study the impact of e-cigarette usage on smoking rates. [...] Wagener's research will assess how effective different types of e-cigarettes are in helping smokers switch from cigarettes to these vaping products and what impact switching has on smokers' exposure to harmful carcinogens and cancer risk.

2016-11-03
news-medical.net

How the tobacco industry is gaming Australian health regulations

Australia’s tough tobacco regulations are acting as a catalyst for the industry to develop sophisticated marketing practices. These companies are gaming the system by anticipating regulatory impact and then using unregulated marketing elements to overcome it. Australia has been a guiding light for countries looking to improve public health through the effective regulation of tobacco, [...]

2016-11-03
theconversation.com

In defence of cigarettes

Every year, the Government seems to roll out a new tax on cigarettes to influence people to quit smoking, as society constantly casts smokers aside as lepers. The Maori Party, for one, has said they would like New Zealand to be 100 per cent smoke-free. While many laud this position, there are some who don't. Two arguments are often used to justify raising the price of cigarettes: [...]

2016-11-03
stuff.co.nz

The marijuana industry created more than 18,000 new jobs [...]

In 2015, the legal marijuana industry in Colorado created more than 18,000 new full-time jobs and generated $2.4 billion in economic activity, according to a first-of-its-kind analysis of the economics of legal cannabis in the state. The study, conducted by the economic consulting firm Marijuana Policy Group, is based on two years of sales numbers from the state of Colorado.

2016-11-03
washingtonpost.com